The inappropriate characterising of young girls by publishers and toy manufacturers that was highlighted in Linda Papadopoulos’ report on the Sexualisation of Children has got out of hand. It is clear that these unrealistic images lead to anxiety and poor self image amongst youngsters contributing to stress, eating disorders and puts pressure on their own sexual behaviour.

Parents have to sit up and take responsibility; schools should also be encouraging and educating parents that turning a blind eye will not make the problem go away. We are constantly amazed at The Learning Bubble about the amount the amount of copy generated by the media, government reports and internet safety ‘champions’ about in-home online safety for kids. Perversely, this is matched by a corresponding apathy by parents, parental school groups and retailers to do anything or make products more readily available that could help solve some of these important issues.

It is good that online safety is soon going to be taught in schools but it might not be a bad idea to run classes for parents first!

Stated, Education Leeds’ e-Learning Strategy Adviser, Peter Fletcher, ‘TLB is a very timely product with the launch this week of the Government’s Internet Green Cross Code aimed primarily at parents of primary school children. In addition TLB’s emphasis on home learning fits in well with the parental engagement agenda which is another focus for schools at the moment. The product has clearly raised a lot of interest and a thirst for more knowledge.’

Appointments with a number of schools have been arranged and Education Leeds have asked TLB to undertake a presentation to their City Learning Centre staff in January 2010.

There’s been a high level of interest here in using technology to engage parents with what their children are up to in and out of school; something we at TLB have always strived towards.

The Learning Bubble’s own recent research study revealed that 22% parents had found their child accessing inappropriate content and a staggering 5% never monitored what their kids were watching at all! So perhaps Dr Tanya Byron and the Government are on to something after all.